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Suitability ofScapteriscus spp. Mole crickets [Ort.: Gryllotalpidae] as hosts ofLarra bicolor [Hym.: Sphecidae]

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Abstract

Larra bicolor F. wasps successfully parasitized and developed on 5 species ofScapteriscus mole cricket hosts:S. abbreviatus Scudder,S. didactylus (Latreille),S. imitatus Nickle & Castner,S. vicinus Scudder, andS. acletus Rehn & Hebard. Examinations of the mole crickets 10–14 and 20–24 days post-parasitization revealed large differences among host species in the frequency of survival of the developing parasites. The percentages of successful development were:S. abbreviatus=90 %,S. imitatus=87 %,S. acletus=79 %,S. vicinus=51 %, andS. didactylus=18 %. Statistical analysis showed that the percentage of successful parasite development observed onS. didactylus was significantly different from all other species tested. No significant difference was found among the other 4 species.L. bicolor wasps were unsuccessful in parasitizing 90 % of theNeocurtilla hexadactyla (Perty) mole crickets offered, due to a sticky, viscous fluid they excreted when attacked.

Résumé

Larra bicolor F. a parasité avec succès et s'est développé dans 5 espèces de courtilières du genreScapteriscus: S. abbreviatus Scudder,S. didactylus (Latreille),S. imitatus Nickle & Castner,S. vicinus Scudder etS. acletus Rehn & Rehard. L'examen des courtilières 10–14 j et 20–24 j après le parasitisme a mis en évidence de grandes différences entre les hôtes dans la fréquence de survie des parasites. Les pourcentages de succès du développement furent:S. abbreviatus: 90 %,S. imitatus: 87 %,S. acletus: 79 %,S. vicinus: 51 % etS. didactylus: 18 %. L'analyse statistique montre une différence significative dans le cas deS. didactylus par rapport aux autres courtilières. Il n'y a pas de différence significative entre les 4 autres espèces.L. bicolor n'a pas réussi à parasiter 90 % desNeocurtilla hexadactyla (Perty) qui lui furent offerts à cause de la substance visqueuse collante que cette courtillière secrète lorsqu'elle est attaquée.

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Castner, J.L. Suitability ofScapteriscus spp. Mole crickets [Ort.: Gryllotalpidae] as hosts ofLarra bicolor [Hym.: Sphecidae] . Entomophaga 29, 323–329 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372120

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